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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 19, 2010

NFL: Dallas owner Jones indicates Phillips back in 2010


By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is giving every indication that he is picking up coach Wade Phillips' contract option for the 2010 season, even without saying so.

"We don't have any funny business here guys. There's nothing funny going on here, at all," Jones said Tuesday. "We just want to do this when we both can do it and both get it stated the way we want to state it."

Standing on the field where next season's Super Bowl will be played, after a spectacular news conference announcing a March 13 boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium, Jones said that he had a "good visit" with Phillips on Monday.

As for Phillips' coming back for his fourth season, Jones said he would answer all the questions at a season wrapup news conference later in the week with "both him and me there." The Cowboys have not yet scheduled that news conference.

Jones has indicated the last few weeks that everything was pointed to Phillips returning. Asked if that was still the case, Jones responded "yes" without elaborating.

The Cowboys clinched their second NFC East title in three seasons under Phillips and won a playoff game for the first time since the 1996 season, beating Philadelphia 34-14 at home in the wildcard playoffs a week after a 24-0 victory over the Eagles in the regular season finale to win the division.

Dallas' season ended with a 34-3 loss at Minnesota last weekend.

Dallas is 34-17 under Phillips, playoffs included. Only three NFL teams have won more games in that span. It also gives him the highest winning percentage of all coaches in team history.

This past season, Phillips also became the team's defensive coordinator and the unit was among the league's best. The playoff victory was his first as a head coach.